Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

That is something we are currently also hesitating about. We signed the contract for the house construction in November, and I believe we did not miscalculate. But the photovoltaic system that was still available for 18k now costs 24. The kitchen no longer costs 10k but 12k. And it goes on like this. Not to mention the construction electricity etc. I am curious whether we will manage to come close in the end or if my premiums will be used up for it.

But that's exactly the point. If you agree on a fixed price today and the craftsman needs the material in 3 months... then he has to consider what risk he takes during that time. And he can't just calculate with today's prices.

Seriously? What risk? A buffer of 100% might be okay, but almost 1000%? I could almost get 1,000 sqm of wood at that price. Where would the risk for the craftsman be if he sells it on for 10t? Besides, he already orders it today and knows the prices. There is zero risk. No reason why he should charge 44k euros.

Same with the windows. Why should the windows cost three times as much? He also orders them from the manufacturer at the contract signing and that's it. That's how it goes throughout.

And what prevents you from getting the wood yourself at that price difference and only contracting out the labor?

Nothing. That's how it will go with some items.

Hello,

Then at least the audacity surcharges disappear and the companies take care of the customers. Those are currently the price drivers. My best example right now is 100sqm larch facade cladding for 44k€ material.

Cool, 440 €/sqm just for the material? Hopefully the trees were cut down by virginal priestesses during a sacred full moon and the boards were sanded by the Pope himself...? Gilded sealing is of course a given...

Have you kindly asked the dealer if he made a typo?

Best regards,

Andreas

Maybe it's also so expensive because it can be? Last weekend I talked to the neighbor, who also had the garage done by the general contractor. Single garage in timber frame construction with a tool room attached at the back for 70k. Another neighbor apparently pays 13k for the foundation and 30k for the carport. I don't understand why people accept these prices, I'm sure you can find a carport including foundation and installation for half the price without much searching...

But better expensive and predictable than unpredictable and expensive in the end. In the first case, you can pull the ripcord before the excavator starts rolling...

Well, it also depends on where you are in the construction phase. There are plenty who secured financing at a low rate and now have to increase the budget due to rising prices. That can really get on the nerves, but I don't think waiting for “safe times” would have truly paid off in the end.

Better to finance 500k at 1% and refinance 50k at 3% than to have to finance 550k at 2.5%. That's easily more than €600 in additional interest costs.

Yes, that is clear. My comment was more about the fact that currently some GUs no longer offer a fixed price but only based on the material price index. With that, you are really buying a pig in a poke.